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Press Release: 02 JUNE 2005

QUEEN’S ‘THANK YOU’ FOR OUR COMMUNITIES’ UNSUNG HEROES -
92 GROUPS HONOURED

Nearly one hundred volunteering groups across the UK have been chosen as winners of this year’s prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, giving recognition to the unsung heroes in our communities that play an essential role in our daily lives.

This year’s winners include organisations as diverse as:

• The Channel Islands Air Search who provide an emergency airborne search facility in the waters surrounding the Channel Islands
• Barnabus, a voluntary group which supports the needs of the homeless and female street sex workers in Manchester with food, medical facilities and educational resources
• Strokes R Us,in Stoke-on-Trent, giving support and advice to people who have stroke related health difficulties

All winners have been nominated by members of the public who have either benefited from their work, or seen the positive effect on their community. The Award is only given to those groups where volunteers are judged to have regularly devoted their time to providing an outstanding level of help to other people.

Paul Goggins, Minister for the Voluntary and Community Sector, said:

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities so I'm delighted that we can recognise their efforts through this award.

"These groups are a vital resource who make a huge difference to the everyday lives of so many people. It is really important that they are given the praise they deserve, particularly as this is the Year of the Volunteer.

"I hope that people will now think ahead to next year, and give groups that are making a difference due recognition by nominating them for the 2006 Awards.”

If you know a volunteering group that are really making a difference to your community, then nomination forms for the 2006 Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service are available from www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk or by calling 0845 000 2002. The nomination period runs until 30 September 2005.

ENDS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, INTERVIEWS OR PHOTOGRAPHY PLEASE CONTACT LUKE WEBB OR SALLY JOHNSON AT GERONIMO PR ON 020 8238 8576 or 8573.

Notes to editors

1. Her Majesty The Queen announced on 30th April 2002 the creation of a new, annual Award to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is the new name for this award, previously the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service, which celebrates outstanding achievements by groups of volunteers.
2. To date, over 400 voluntary groups have won the Award, including 96 in 2005.
3. The Award covers the whole of the United Kingdom, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man.
4. The number of Awards given each year will depend on the number and quality of the nominations received. The Award is made to groups, rather than to individuals.
5. Groups must be nominated for the Award. Self nomination is not permitted.
6. Further details on entrance criteria and the nominations process are available from www.queensawardvoluntary.gov.uk.
7. Entries for the 2005/6 Awards are now open, and will remain open until 30th September. The winners will be announced on 2nd June 2006.